A third of Irish people unaware antibiotics are ineffective against viruses like cold and flu

One in three Irish people are unaware that antibiotics are ineffective against influenza.

The knowledge of Irish consumers about antibiotics may be above-average among EU citizens but 1 in 3 are still unaware that they are ineffective against viruses like colds and flu, a new EU-wide study has shown.

The research revealed that 66% of Irish adults correctly knew that antibiotics do not kill viruses — the fourth highest level of awareness among the 27 EU member states where the average was 50%.